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The Gist
- 5673 - Sam Jay - Funny You Should Mention
Today on The Gist, guest host Rachel Win introduces the third installment of Funny You Should Mention which welcomes Sam Jay, former SNL writer, Tom Brady Roaster, host of HBO's Pause with Sam Jay, and stand-up comic behind such specials as Netflix's 3 In The Morning and HBO's Salute Me or Shoot Me. Sam and Mike talk cops, racism, white vs black people money management, and a joke she'll discuss but won't be telling again.
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Fri, 18 Sep 2026 - 49min - 5672 - Gilbert Gottfried: "My feeling is, can I get the hell out of here?"
Today on The Gist, guest host Rachel Win introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey about her book The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future, exploring Altman's Silicon Valley rise, the tensions between AI safety and commercial speed, and his brief ouster from the company. The show wraps with a classic 2014 sit-down with the late Gilbert Gottfried, who talks old Hollywood lore, dirty jokes, and hosting Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast.
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Produced by Corey Wara
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Wed, 16 Sep 2026 - 35min - 5671 - Jennifer Esposito: "Finding a voice in a world that tells you not to have one."
Today on The Gist, guest host Rachel Win introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with veteran actor, writer, and director Jennifer Esposito about her debut feature film, Fresh Kills. Esposito breaks down her inspiration for the Staten Island drama, which re-examines the mob genre through the rarely explored perspectives of the wives and daughters caught inside patriarchal crime families. She also discusses mortgaging her home to finance true independent cinema, the harsh realities of modern streaming distribution, and the lifelong drive required to bring her personal artistic vision to the screen, preceded by an archival spiel from Mike critiquing the craft of television writing at the Emmy Awards.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 37min - 5670 - Philip Mudd: "Take out the stops, make sure it doesn't happen again."
Today on The Gist, guest host Jason Mojica marks the 25th anniversary of September 11th with former CIA counterterrorism official Philip Mudd, author of Black Site: The CIA in the Post-9/11 World. Mudd revisits the post-9/11 panic over a second wave of attacks, the overhaul of US intelligence, and the contentious debates surrounding enhanced interrogation techniques. The episode closes with Mike Pesca's archival reflection on military families, community sacrifice, and high school football at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 11 Sep 2026 - 23min - 5669 - Gina Gershon: "You have to learn how to be tough."
Today on The Gist, guest host Jason Mojica introduces two conversations on personal resilience and healthy living. First, Mike Pesca talks with actress Gina Gershon about her memoir Alpha Pussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs, exploring how she navigated toxicity in early Hollywood, developed an instinctual survival radar, and turned a botched roast performance into a breakout role on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Then, oncologist and bioethicist Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel discusses his book Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long, Healthy Life, pushing back against the exhausting demands of the wellness industry while advocating for pragmatic risk management, foundational daily habits, and enjoying simple pleasures in moderation.
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Produced by Corey Wara
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Wed, 9 Sep 2026 - 42min - 5668 - Chuck D: "Art is your signature, it's your pulse."
Today on The Gist, guest host Jason Mojica introduces a conversation between Mike Pesca and hip-hop pioneer Chuck D, co-founder of Public Enemy, about his book Interficial Arttelligence. Chuck D reflects on his lifelong passion for visual art, dating back to childhood comic books and drafting promotional flyers on Long Island, and details his rapid, memory-driven illustration style as a personal counterweight to digital perfection and artificial intelligence. He also shares the origins of Public Enemy's striking imagery, including the Sports Illustrated stopwatches that inspired Flavor Flav's iconic neck clock, while discussing the modern digital landscape, the power of visual communication, and how he uses art to cut through the chatter of social media.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 7 Sep 2026 - 35min - 5667 - Nimesh Patel: "I am always pro joke before I am pro anything."
Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian and writer Nimesh Patel, the first Indian American writer in Saturday Night Live history. Patel charts his transition from NYU finance major to stand-up comic, breaking down his shifting philosophy on joke construction, why he has moved away from didactic, argument-driven bits, and how he uses subtext and contrarian premises to catch audiences off guard. He also revisits his specials Thank You, China and Lucky Lefty, dissects the humor and frustrations of the American healthcare system, and reflects on the infamous 2018 Columbia University set where organizers cut his microphone midway through his performance.
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Produced by Corey Wara
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Fri, 4 Sep 2026 - 55min - 5666 - Diane Foley and Elizabeth Tsurkov on Hostages, Wrongful Detentions, and State Terror
Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces two conversations centered on hostage recovery and wrongful detention abroad. First, Mike Pesca speaks with Diane Foley, founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, who reflects on her son's murder by ISIS in 2014, the institutional failures that left American families without diplomatic support, and the urgent need to overhaul outdated US hostage policies as state-sponsored wrongful detentions rise. Then, Mike is joined by Princeton PhD researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov to discuss her harrowing ordeal surviving over 900 days of captivity and torture by the Iranian-backed militia Kata'ib Hezbollah in Iraq, detailing how she used fictitious confessions to protect innocent locals, the psychological endurance that kept her alive, and the diplomatic efforts that ultimately secured her freedom.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 2 Sep 2026 - 1h 01min - 5665 - Vic Michaelis: "Improv is not just existing live in front of an audience on stage."
Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian Vic Michaelis, host of Very Important People on Dropout TV. Michaelis discusses the show's chaotic premise, where comedians are transformed by high-end VFX makeup and prosthetics without knowing what they look like until a live mirror reveal, forcing them to build an improvised character from scratch. They also explore the evolution of improv for online video formats, Michaelis's character arc as an ambitious yet deeply frustrated public access news anchor, and the comedic blend of East Coast punchlines and big Canadian character work.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 31 Aug 2026 - 25min - 5664 - Virginia Sole-Smith: "Weight loss is not the solution."
Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a debate between Mike Pesca and Virginia Sole-Smith, author of Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture. Sole-Smith argues that genetics largely dictate body size and that systemic weight stigma and diet culture cause far more damage than high body weight itself. Pesca pushes back, questioning whether downplaying obesity's strong correlations to chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease ignores serious public health risks, while Sole-Smith maintains that true healthcare must abandon the failed mandate of intentional weight loss.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.Produced by Corey Wara
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Fri, 28 Aug 2026 - 39min - 5663 - Adam Kinzinger on Cults, Country, and Trump
Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a pair of interviews focused on the shifting identity of the Republican Party. First, Mike Pesca sits down with former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger to discuss his memoir Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country, exploring how his fundamentalist Christian upbringing shaped his aversion to political groupthink, his military service, and his decision to vote for impeachment and serve on the January 6th Select Committee. Then, Mike speaks with veteran Republican strategist Stuart Stevens about his satirical novel The Innocent Have Nothing to Fear, examining how the GOP abandoned its post-2012 demographic autopsy, embraced populist protectionism, and alienated key minority voting blocs.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 26 Aug 2026 - 37min - 5662 - Al Franken: " I had a career in identifying absurdity. And I know it when I see it."
Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a 2022 conversation between Mike Pesca and former US Senator Al Franken, who discusses his return to stand-up comedy and looks back at his tenure in the Senate. Franken examines how his background as a comedy writer and performer informed his sharp, forensic approach to committee hearings, including his memorable question during Jeff Sessions' confirmation that ultimately led to the Attorney General's recusal, and his viral exchange with Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos over growth versus proficiency. He and Mike also discuss the cynical comedic worldview of Lindsey Graham, the breakdown of cross-aisle Senate comity, and Franken's proposed reforms to fix the modern filibuster.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Mon, 24 Aug 2026 - 33min - 5661 - TJ Miller: "When the air hits your brain, it's never the same."
Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian and actor TJ Miller, who reflects on life, stand-up, and the traumatic brain injury that altered his cognitive wiring. Miller walks through his experience surviving a 2010 brain surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation in his right frontal lobe, explaining how the resulting neurological shifts fuel his manic work ethic, remove natural fatigue cues, and act as an improvisational cheat code on stage. Along the way, he and Mike riff on oddball city mottos, touring smaller American towns like Fort Wayne, navigating the realities of an invisible disability, and why embracing chaotic crowd work remains the ultimate test of a stand-up comedian.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Fri, 21 Aug 2026 - 49min - 5660 - Chris Smalls: "Worker led means worker led."
Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin introduces a conversation between Mike Pesca and Chris Smalls, co-founder and former president of the Amazon Labor Union and author of When the Revolution Comes: A Fight for the Future of the Working Class. Smalls looks back at his journey from an underground hip-hop artist and warehouse employee to the face of modern labor organizing, detailing the scrappy, grassroots tactics that powered the historic Staten Island union victory. He also tackles the inevitable controversies and internal fractures that followed, pushback over his national profile, and why authentic labor movements must keep working-class people at the helm rather than letting outside political factions call the shots.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Wed, 19 Aug 2026 - 44min - 5659 - Bob Saget: "I just, I wanna entertain people."
Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin introduces a classic spiel from the archives analyzing Vivek Ramaswamy's debate strategy and an interview with Andrew Yang on the differing party dynamics facing political outsiders. Then, Mike Pesca revisits his conversation with the late Bob Saget, who reflects on his decades in comedy, writing his first jokes in a law library, and releasing his stand-up special Zero to Sixty. Saget examines the stark contrast between his wholesome family television persona and his bawdy stand-up roots, navigating shifting cultural sensibilities, and why he always prioritized connection and catharsis with his audience over causing outrage.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Mon, 17 Aug 2026 - 21min - 5658 - Andrew Fox: Make something that surprises people because everyone's bored.
Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Green shares Mike Pesca's interview with writer and composer Andrew Fox, the creator behind the viral satirical musical Slam Frank. Fox breaks down the origins of his controversial parody (which imagines an Anne Frank musical staged through an absurdly over-the-top, intersectional lens) and examines how well-intentioned performative language in modern theater often slips into unintentional comedy. He and Mike discuss the boundaries of comedy, the stifling nature of institutional gatekeeping, and why contemporary art needs to start taking real risks again instead of chasing safe, predictable moral superiority.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Fri, 14 Aug 2026 - 47min - 5657 - Derrick Palmer: "The union was always the solution."
Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Green shares an interview with Derrick Palmer, co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union and co-author of Handbook for the Revolution: Building a More Perfect Union for the 21st Century. Palmer reflects on his time working inside Amazon's JFK8 warehouse on Staten Island, the dangerous working conditions and lack of sick time during the pandemic, and how he and Chris Smalls built an independent, worker-led organizing effort that successfully unionized the facility. Finally, in the spiel, Mike Pesca dissects Hollywood's obsession with animated movies about anthropomorphic animals and pitches a hyper-specific, meta-cinematic alternative of his own.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Wed, 12 Aug 2026 - 22min - 5656 - Larry Wilmore: "I have pushed for the ability to suck in anything, rather than just racial content."
Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Green shares a classic 2019 interview with comedian, writer, and host Larry Wilmore. Wilmore reflects on his podcast Black on the Air, the reality of the medium, and the freedom of moving beyond narrowly defined racial content. He and Mike Pesca discuss mentorship, the limits of "woke" cultural criticism, and why using comedy as a tool for political activism misunderstands the point of the craft. Finally, in the spiel, Mike examines why governments struggle to account for pleasure in cost-benefit analyses of vices, from alcohol during pregnancy to e-cigarettes as a form of harm reduction.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Mon, 10 Aug 2026 - 24min - 5655 - Kelsey Snelling: "Anytime there is a scale, you can't do so ethically."
Today on The Gist, guest host Vanessa Quirk steps in to share Mike Pesca's 2024 interview with Kelsey Snelling, creator of the investigative podcast Camp Shame. Snelling outlines the history of Camp Shane (one of America's longest running youth weight loss retreats) and details her own experiences as a counselor witnessing neglected facilities, untrained staff, and severe calorie restriction. The conversation turns contentious as Mike pushes back on the broader tenets of the fat acceptance movement, arguing that society can reject cruelty and fatphobia without dismissing the medical realities of severe obesity or the validity of weight loss goals.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 7 Aug 2026 - 45min - 5654 - Funny You Should Mention: Des Bishop
Today on The Gist, guest host Vanessa Quirk steps in to share a previously unaired interview between Mike Pesca and Irish American comedian Des Bishop. Bishop traces his trajectory from a Queens childhood and teenage modeling gig to moving to Ireland at fourteen, getting sober at nineteen, and eventually rising to become one of Ireland's top touring comics. He and Mike discuss the differences between Irish storytelling comedy and the punchier American club scene, how social media algorithms now dictate stand-up, and why navigating generational shifts and Gen Z triggers requires bridging the gap rather than just starting a fight.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 5 Aug 2026 - 1h 08min - 5653 - Nathan Alebach: "Don't listen to me, I'm just a frozen piece of meat."
Today on The Gist, guest host Vanessa Quirk steps in to share a classic 2022 interview with Nathan Allebach, the creative force behind Steak-umm's viral Twitter presence. Allebach breaks down the rise of brand personification, explaining how a forgotten frozen meat company's account transformed from a corporate afterthought into an online phenomenon known for engaging weird Twitter, unblocking trolls, and dispensing earnest advice on millennial angst. Finally, in the spiel, Mike Pesca shares a story of civic engagement from a New York City zoning meeting, illustrating how he attempted to ease neighborhood tension around the "City of Yes" housing initiative using the healing power of progressive rock.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 3 Aug 2026 - 23min - 5652 - Lara Bazelon: "What are the repercussions when you speak outside your tribe?"
Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam James Levin-Areddy introduces a requested classic from the archives: the final episode of Not Even Mad,before it came back. Journalists Lara Bazelon and David French join Mike Pesca to discuss the personal and professional costs of speaking out against one's own political side, standing up to ideological intimidation, and the creeping cynicism within modern journalism. Finally, Mike reflects on the cancellation of the show itself, explaining why true, friendly ideological disagreement across political divides has become nearly impossible to sustain in contemporary America.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 31 Jul 2026 - 29min - 5651 - Justin Garson: "If you turn dopamine on and off, you can turn schizophrenia on and off."
Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam James Levin-Areddy steps in as host Mike Pesca remains away. Mike brings on CUNY philosophy professor Justin Garson to discuss his book, The Madness Pill, and the legacy of 20th-century neuroscientist Dr. Solomon Snyder. Garson details how early psychiatric experiments using LSD and amphetamines led to the discovery of the dopamine hypothesis, revolutionizing the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 29 Jul 2026 - 34min - 5650 - Maria Konnikova: "If you're looking for a healthy food, this ain't it."
Today on The Gist, we revisit Mike Pesca’s classic crusade against the indisputable abomination of paper straws and the dubious logic surrounding alternative drinking apparatuses. Then, writer and psychologist Maria Konnikova joins Mike for a classic edition of "Is That Bullshit?" to dissect whether plant-based alternatives like Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meat are actually any healthier for you than real beef.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.Produced by Corey Wara
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Mon, 27 Jul 2026 - 21min - 5649 - Robby Hoffman: "For me, to complain is to enjoy."
Comedian, podcaster, and self-described cutie-in-her-own-way Robby Hoffman drops by to discuss her life, her comedy, and why she takes talking as seriously as any other art form. From growing up ultra-Orthodox and ultra-poor to becoming a sought-after stand-up with a Porsche no one wants, Hoffman explains how she's thrived in disaster and learned to mine discomfort for laughs. The two explore America's national personality deficit, what makes a story worth telling, and the joys of conflict when you grow up with nine siblings and no private phone line.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 24 Jul 2026 - 1h 05min - 5648 - Helen Lewis: "Vulnerable guys could use a friend, but they get a charlatan."
Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Greene steps in as temporary custodian to share a fresh interview between Mike Pesca and journalist Helen Lewis. Lewis dives into her cover story for The Atlantic exploring the rise of masculinism and the reactionary figures aiming to roll back women's rights. She breaks down the line between online provocateurs and actual ideological strategists, explaining how figures from Pastor Doug Wilson to Nick Fuentes use shock value to build power and recruit isolated young men.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 22 Jul 2026 - 36min - 5647 - Ted Kaye: "You can love a flag and have it co-opted."
Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Greene kicks off our rotating host lineup with a dive into the Peach Fish archives. First, Mike Pesca dissects the political baggage hiding inside state anthems, from Maryland's pro-Confederate fight song to why West Virginia's "Country Roads" remains the undisputed peak of the genre. Then, North American Vexillological Association secretary Ted Kaye joins the show to break down flag etiquette, Justice Alito's Controversial banners, and how political movements co-opt historic symbols. Finally, in the spiel, Mike rewrites Nebraska's state song to give it a much-needed upgrade.
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Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 20 Jul 2026 - 28min - 5646 - Vincent Schiraldi: Mass Supervision and Criminal Justice Reform
Today on The Gist, guest host Bob Garfield replays an interview with prison reformer Vincent Schiraldi about his book, Mass Supervision: Probation, Parole, and the Illusion of Safety and Freedom. Schiraldi discusses his time running Rikers Island, explaining that the jail faces immense staffing issues due to unworkable union contracts. He points out that the real problem with jails and courts is systemic inefficiency, which keeps individuals locked up for years waiting for a trial. Schiraldi advocates for overhauling the probation and parole systems, noting that billions of taxpayer dollars are wasted every year putting people back in prison for minor technical violations rather than actual new crimes.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 17 Jul 2026 - 35min - 5645 - Michael Murphy: "The Spaces Around Us Are Shaping Us and Changing Us"
Today on The Gist, An interview with architect Michael Murphy about his memoir-style book, Our World in 10 Buildings: How Architecture Defines Who We Are and How We Live. Murphy details his career shift from studying classical, monumental architecture to founding Mass Design Group, a nonprofit focused on leveraging built environments to deliver public services. Murphy tracks his experiences designing a hilltop hospital ward in post-genocide Rwanda alongside healthcare pioneer Paul Farmer to mitigate airborne tuberculosis transmission.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Wed, 15 Jul 2026 - 42min - 5644 - Steven Johnson: "We Have Three Levels of Probability. It's Gonna Happen, It's Not Gonna Happen, and Maybe"
Today on The Gist, guest host Bob Garfield introduces the show's new format before diving into a special double-feature interview with science and tech author Steven Johnson. Blending conversations from 2018 and 2016, the episode deconstructs how humanity handles complex, long-term choices and how the simple pursuit of play and delight has secretly driven global history. Johnson breaks down the flaws of binary decision-making, the cognitive value of true group diversity, and how elite historical deliberations rely on tools like the to override tracking errors. Shifting to his book Wonderland, he flips the script on the idea that necessity is the mother of invention, tracing how luxury pursuits like Tyrian purple dye and rare spices accidentally mapped the globe, triggered international espionage, and birthed the modern capitalistic world.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Mon, 13 Jul 2026 - 34min - 5643 - Funny You Should Mention: Jeff Arcuri
Today on The Gist, its Funny You Should Mention with stand-up comedian Jeff Arcuri, whose crowd-work proficiency anchors his new Netflix special. Arcuri counters comedy purists by framing audience interaction as a structured illusion, detailing how his early years navigating gatekeeping open mics in Michigan and grinding out repetitive sets on Carnival cruise lines forced him to develop a deep toolkit of ready-to-go punchlines. He also reflects on his whirlwind romance and quick marriage to his wife, a former Bachelorette contestant, and opens up about navigating her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 10 Jul 2026 - 58min - 5642 - Pesca La Vista
Today, on the final episode of The Gist...
After 12 years and more than 3,000 episodes, Mike revisits his very first top-of-the-show segment, from May 29, 2014, which centered on "baby shoes." In the final Antwentig, Mike lays out his broadcasting philosophy: the importance of production values, the tradeoffs between chasing advertisers and risking insularity with paid subscriptions, and what makes for a great interview and great audio. Mike takes the "L" on his presidential election predictions but celebrates what The Gist got right — and did right. Lest we memory-hole the horror of paper straws, he revisits one of the show's most satisfying victories, offers recommendations for what to listen to in a Pesca-free future, and reflects on where podcasting goes from here. Finally, Mike offers a heartfelt thank-you — and steals some office supplies on the way out.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 9 Jul 2026 - 34min - 5641 - David Wain & Ken Marino: "We're Always Modulating The Madcap"
Today on The Gist, Mike explores his gist list, not that gist list, the other gist list. Then, filmmakers and actors David Wain and Ken Marino join the show to discuss their collaborative history originating from the seminal MTV sketch troupe The State and their new film, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. Wain and Marino detail their unique creative alchemy, break down the deliberate visual nods to classics like Sex, Lies, and Videotape and Body Heat, and share behind-the-scenes stories from the set. Also, the logistics of cheating actor availability on Wet Hot American Summercompared to Netflix'sArrested Development.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 8 Jul 2026 - 38min - 5640 - Batya Ungar-Sargon: "Anti-Zionism Now Is A Central Plank Of Leftist Politics"
Today on The Gist, host Mike Pesca reflects on the art of the contentious debate and the ongoing siloing of the modern media landscape, looking back at his spirited 2015 interview. Then, NewsNation host and author Batya Ungar-Sargon joins the show to discuss her new book, The Jews and the Left. Ungar-Sargon maps the historical trajectory of American Jewish political alignment from early 20th-century working-class labor movements to the civil rights era, arguing that a post-structuralist "oppressor vs. oppressed" binary has completely colonized the modern academy and trickled down into mainstream neoliberal journalism.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 7 Jul 2026 - 49min - 5639 - Ray Madoff: "The Tax System No Longer Taxes Investments And Inheritances"
Today on The Gist, the media misinformation surrounding historical focus groups and billionaire tax histories. Then, Boston College Law School professor Ray Madoff joins the show to discuss her new book, The Second Estate: How the Tax Code Made an American Aristocracy. Madoff unpacks the modern "buy, borrow, die" strategy, detailing how the top tier of wealth utilizes the "step-up in basis" loophole to wash away billions in capital gains upon death. She challenges the legal and rhetorical definitions that prioritize taxing working-class wages over massive generational asset transfers and explains how the estate tax was systemically defanged into a multi-billion-dollar cover for dynastic wealth.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 6 Jul 2026 - 51min - 5638 - Chris Cillizza: "Most Of Those People Don't Pay"
Today on the Saturday show, host Mike Pesca shares a revealing conversation with independent media veteran Chris Cillizza from a recent Substack Live offering an unvarnished look behind the scenes of the modern creator economy. The duo breaks down the financial and administrative realities of running independent operations, tracing Mike’s impending departure from The Gist to the exhausting logistics of multi-state regulatory compliance and algorithmic shifts that force audio creators to prioritize video clips over actual long-form text.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 4 Jul 2026 - 1h 03min - 5637 - Not Even Mad: Elizabeth Bruening & Ben Kawaller
Today on The Gist, reaching into the archives for a pre-July 4th holiday treat, sharing a classic 2017 spoof that features dramatic readings of unexpected July 3rd historical texts. Then, the final episode of Not Even Mad, Mike Pesca, Elizabeth Bruenig, and Ben Kawaller debate the rising power of democratic socialism after several progressive upset victories. The panel then shifts to JD Vance’s new faith memoir, Communion, analyzing the theological contradictions of Vance's self-professed lack of fear regarding damnation and his framing of Catholicism as a tool for Western social control. Finally, they air out their signature "goat grinders," taking aim at the emotional manipulation of true-crime documentaries and the irritating rise of the storefront phrase "welcome in."
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 2 Jul 2026 - 1h 02min - 5636 - Isaac Butler: "Part Of Living In A Society Means Giving Over A Certain Amount Of Agency"
Today on The Gist, we explore the media framing of the Supreme Court's birthright citizenship decision. Then, author and cultural critic Isaac Butler joins the show to discuss his new book, The Perfect Moment: God, Sex, Art, and the Birth of America's Culture Wars. Butler tracks our modern societal rifts back to the volatile 1974 Kanawha County textbook war in West Virginia, detailing how a routine school board vote spiraled into bombings and sophisticated right-wing direct-mail infrastructure. He maps the unexpected political coalitions of the Reagan era, evaluates the intense federal funding battles surrounding transgressive masterpieces like Andres Serrano’s Piss Christ, and outlines how the devastating vacuum of the AIDS crisis forced the LGBTQ community to use provocative art as a vital vehicle for authenticity and survival.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Thu, 2 Jul 2026 - 46min - 5634 - Eric Lichtblau: "Hate Speech Leads Directly To Hate Crimes"
Today on The Gist, a look back at a Webby Award nominated focus group spoof from the vault before diving into a major analysis of the Supreme Court's monumental ruling against Donald Trump's birthright citizenship executive order. Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and author Eric Lichtblau joins the show to discuss his new book, American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate. Lichtblau unpacks the tragic 2018 murder of Ivy League student Blaze Bernstein by his former high school classmate, Sam Woodward, mapping Woodward's toxic path from an online "journal of hate" to a paramilitarized neo-Nazi hate camp in Texas. Finally, in the spiel, a deep dive into the 14th Amendment's original congressional debates reveals why the high court's 6-3 rejection of the citizenship ban successfully held the constitutional line against fringe conservative theories
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 1 Jul 2026 - 36min - 5632 - Ben Fountain: "We're Real Good At The Blur"
Today on The Gist, Mike Pesca delivers a bittersweet announcement. Then, acclaimed novelist and political chronicler Ben Fountain joins for the entire hour to discuss his sprawling, scathing new satirical novel, Rasputin Swims the Potomac. Fountain details his decision to render the fictional president’s identity as a literal redaction, the fascinating parallels between the manufactured reality of professional wrestling and the modern American electorate, and how the relentless firehose of sensory overload generated by our pocket technology forces a mass collective anxiety onto the human brain.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 30 Jun 2026 - 46min - 5630 - Ro Khanna & Mike Pesca: The Middle
Today on the Saturday special, we present Mike's full, two-part appearance on the public radio show and podcast The Middle with host Jeremy Hobson and California Congressman Ro Khanna. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the panel tackles the ultimate question: what would you change about the country? Congressman Khanna champions a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and eliminate dark money from politics, while Mike argues for a structural fix to expand human representation by uncapping the total seats in the House of Representatives.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Sat, 27 Jun 2026 - 53min - 5629 - Funny You Should Mention: Graham Kay
Today on The Gist, exploring the stark disconnect between economic data and public perception Then, a new Funny You Should Mention with Canadian comedian Graham Kay. He discusses his moving new stand-up special, Pete and Me, which maps his life alongside his autistic brother. Kay shares the chaotic story of his 2011 deportation from America after a sarcastic graffiti arrest in Brooklyn, detailing how his brother's literal interpretation of a jailhouse phone call left him stranded in central booking. He also opens up about the deep, exhausting divisions within the neurodivergent community, pushing back against high-functioning advocates who seek to erase the "disabled" label at the expense of families managing severe, life-altering conditions
Produced by Corey WaraVideo and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 26 Jun 2026 - 1h 04min - 5628 - Anna Varfolomeeva: "Eighty Percent Of Russian Troops Are Getting Wiped Out Before They Reach The Front Line"
Today on The Gist, we examine a wave of 6-3 Supreme Court decisions. Then, strategic communications analyst Anna Varfolomeeva of the Cognitive Security Institute joins the show to discuss her War on the Rocks report exposing the deep systemic rot inside the Russian military infrastructure. Varfolomeeva explains how intense Ukrainian drone innovation has ground Russia's advances down to a microscopic 23 meters a day and how a culture of institutional lying has left the state uniquely fragile. Finally, in the spiel, check the statistical baseline before falling for media sensationalism, analyzing everything from French heat-wave drownings to Pete Hegseth's military promotion blacklists.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 25 Jun 2026 - 34min - 5627 - Ben Rhodes: "The Thing They Do As The Next Step Is The Most Consequential Part Of The Deal"
Today on The Gist, we explore the collapse of the bipartisan affordable housing package on Capitol Hill. Then, former Obama deputy national security adviser and chief speechwriter Ben Rhodes returns for the conclusion of his conversation on All We Say: The Battle for American Identity, A History in 15 Speeches. Rhodes reacts to historical audio from nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman to define the explicit red lines of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, detailing how negotiated limitations and sweeping supply chain inspections remain superior to the temporary setbacks of military strikes. Finally, in the spiel, a look at the New York primary and why newly elected congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier represents a low for the party.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 24 Jun 2026 - 31min - 5626 - Ben Rhodes: "If We Had To Pay With All This Blood, It Was Worth It"
Today on The Gist, lack of civic information and public debates available to voters ahead of the New York state assembly primary elections. Then, former Obama deputy national security adviser and chief speechwriter Ben Rhodes joins the show to discuss his new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity, A History in 15 Speeches. He breaks down how historical icons from Seneca Chief Red Jacket to Abraham Lincoln used the power of rhetoric to push for progressive change without resorting to moral purity tests. Rhodes critiques the modern political landscape, explaining how the online left's reliance on shaming has backfired compared to the unyielding optimism of early Obama campaigns.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 23 Jun 2026 - 42min - 5625 - Michael A. Cohen: "There Is an Inherent Bias Toward Exaggerating the Benefits of Using Military Force"
Today on The Gist, the alarming strategic ramifications of the $300 billion in indirect Gulf state investments heading to Iran as a ceasefire condition. Then, foreign policy expert Michael A. Cohen of the Stimson Center joins the show to discuss his co-authored report evaluating the hidden costs, failures, and hubris of recent U.S. military campaigns in Venezuela and Iran. Cohen breaks down why the Trump administration completely failed to anticipate second-order consequences like the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, how the precision assassination of the Ayatollah counterproductively empowered pro-nuclear hardliners, and how Benjamin Netanyahu's domestic military overreach in Lebanon completely alienated his superpower benefactor.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 22 Jun 2026 - 43min - 5624 - Michael Schur: "The Afterlife Score Is Mathematical and Omniscient, But It Might Be Wrong"
Today on The Gist, we pull an archival interview from the vault as acclaimed writer-producer Michael Schur joins the show to dissect the ethical frameworks behind The Good Place. He details how everyday anxieties, like the self-consciousness of waiting for a barista to witness your tip, evolved into a cosmic sitcom about moral scorekeeping. Schur compares his fictional afterlife to the cold reality of sabermetrics, charting how hyper-rational evaluation systems have sanded off the quirky edges of baseball to create a clinical game of three true outcomes. Finally, in the spiel, a look at the historical taxonomy of miracles reveals why public anxiety regarding the additive breakthrough of AI.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 20 Jun 2026 - 27min - 5623 - Not Even Mad: Anthony Weiner & Matt Welch
Today on The Gist, we explore the aftermath of the Kansas City Super Bowl parade shooting, as NEw York celebrates a historic Knicks championship victory. Then, former congressman Anthony Weiner and Reason editor-at-large Matt Welch join the panel for another edition of "Not Even Mad." The trio debates the massive market valuation of Elon Musk's SpaceX, analyzing how concentrated wealth reshapes global geopolitics, media structures, and domestic policy debates. They also turn their focus to the upcoming New York primary races, exploring the rise of age-based political realignment and populism.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Thu, 18 Jun 2026 - 53min - 5622 - Sadie Dingfelder: "You Cannot Be Burned by Wind Alone"
Today on The Gist, we look at the complex racial and political dynamics surrounding a newly redistricted congressional seat in Florida. Then, journalist Sadie Dingfelder returns for another edition of "Is It Bullshit" to break down the myth of windburn, tracing the science back to a 1974 mouse wind tunnel experiment. Finally, in the spiel, a look at the historical taxonomy of miracles and how a public anxiety toward the additive miracle of AI contrasts with how regular people actually rely on the technology in their private lives.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 17 Jun 2026 - 30min - 5621 - Michael Schur: "It Is Funny to Watch Fans Turn Themselves Inside Out to Try to Hold on to Something That No Longer Exists"
Today on The Gist, a look into the local New York controversy surrounding Mayor Zoran Mamdani's initiative to stream World Cup and NBA Finals games on Link NYC kiosks. Then, television writer-producer Michael Schur and veteran sports columnist Joe Posnanski return for the conclusion of their interview discussing their collaborative book, Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love. The duo unpacks how the modern NIL system has injected absolute chaos into college sports, the psychological dynamic of fan entitlement, and why the intense burden of aging outpaces our raw desire for stadium treks. Then, in the spiel, a deep dive into the high-stakes Democratic primary in New York's 13th congressional district.
Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 16 Jun 2026 - 29min - 5620 - Joe Posnanski: "Life Is Lonely, and Sports Provides a Community"
Today on The Gist, sorting through the deluge of "freedom" branding in modern politics. Then, television writer-producer Michael Schur and veteran sports columnist Joe Posnanski join the show to discuss their new book, Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 Miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love. The duo breaks down the distinct differences between the community of live sports and the parasocial mirror of television fandom, how showrunners selectively weaponize casting to subvert audience expectations, and why fans willingly wager their emotional happiness on unpredictable, unscripted outcomes.
Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 15 Jun 2026 - 40min - 5619 - Chris Cillizza: "Most of the People I Know in Media Can Barely Pay Their Bills"
Mike joined Chris Cillizza on Substack Live where they analyzed why California takes so long to count ballots, detailing how logistics and funding create a perception of dysfunction rather than deliberate corruption. They also dove into a recent Pew poll finding that Americans unique globally dislike their fellow countrymen, tracing this data to cultural polarization and strict two-party sorting. Finally, breaking down why the actual power of U.S. military and technological capacity historically outlasts its moral reputation abroad.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 13 Jun 2026 - 46min - 5618 - Gary Slutkin: "Violence Meets Every Scientific Definition of a Contagious Disease"
Today on The Gist, a look at the Alaska's U.S. Senate race, where a retired teacher named Dan Sullivan was disqualified from running in a primary against the incumbent senator, who is also named Dan Sullivan. Then, physician and epidemiologist Dr. Gary Slutkin joins the show to discuss his book, The End of Violence: Eliminating the World’s Most Dangerous Epidemic. The Cure Violence founder explains how analyzing violent crime data maps perfectly onto traditional epidemic waves, breaking down the neurological copying mechanisms that cause violence to structurally replicate and behave exactly like infectious diseases such as cholera or COVID-19. Finally, Milo Pesca files a guest spiel on the rise of crypto and prediction markets, tracking the insider trading scandals plaguing unreleased reality TV finales and the ethical hazards of gamifying political and entertainment outcomes.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 12 Jun 2026 - 30min - 5617 - Not Even Mad: Bradley Tusk & Charles Fain Lehman
Today on The Gist, Its Not Even Mad. Mike Pesca is joined by venture capitalist Bradley Tusk and Manhattan Institute senior fellow Charles Fain Lehman for a panel debate on political judgment and modern vice. The trio dives into the results of the Maine Democratic primary, questioning whether progressive candidate Graham Plattner can overcome a cascade of personal scandals to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Susan Collins. They also dissect the election logistics of California and the explosion of mobile sports betting apps, tracking the friction between state and federal regulations while exploring how on-device gambling exploits algorithmic data to target young men.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 11 Jun 2026 - 55min - 5616 - Sadie Dingfelder: "Raccoons Have Never Been a Rabies Vector in America"
Today on The Gist, examining the upcoming criminal verdict for the Golden Gate Bridge climate protesters, breaking down the debate over jail time for high-impact civil disobedience. Then, Sadie Dingfelder returns for another installment of "Is It Bullsh*t?" to investigate the historical and scientific reputation of raccoons and rabies. Then, in the spiel, comparing the foreign policy legacies of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump and analyzing whether current U.S. intervention strategies serve as a deliberate long game or merely export short-term geopolitical misery abroad.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 10 Jun 2026 - 34min - 5615 - Benoit Denizet-Lewis: The Case Against “I’ve Changed”
Today on The Gist, Mike considers the difference between an election and election night. One is a careful accounting of the public will. The other is the made-for-TV version that gives conspiracy theorists something to yell about when mail ballots shift the totals.
Then, Benoit Denizet-Lewis joins to discuss You’ve Changed: The Promise and Price of Self-Transformation. The book asks a deceptively simple question: can people really change? Denizet-Lewis says yes, no, and it depends who’s watching. He and Mike discuss identity lifers, political apostates, parole hearings, addiction recovery, name changes, gender identity, and the people who say they didn’t change at all; everyone else did. Plus, the final scene of Rocky IV, because apparently even the Politburo believed in personal growth.Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 8 Jun 2026 - 46min - 5614 - Tom Steyer’s Very Expensive Optimism
In this Saturday archive edition of The Gist, Mike asks the question on everyone’s mind, or at least Tom Steyer’s: is Tom Steyer back? With Steyer rising in the California gubernatorial primary, Mike revisits his 2019 reaction to Steyer’s presidential campaign launch, including the ads, the impeachment crusade, and the camera angles nobody asked for. Then, a later interview with Steyer on Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War. Steyer argues that climate progress will come not from guilt or sacrifice, but from technologies that beat fossil fuels in the marketplace. Mike presses him on EV adoption, continued oil drilling, China’s lead in electric cars, carbon sequestration, and whether climate doomerism has hurt the cause. Plus: The Usual Suspects, American Pie, and the investor case for optimism.
Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 6 Jun 2026 - 27min - 5613 - Christian Miller: Why We Say We Love Honesty, Then Reward Liars
Today on The Gist, Mike asks whether everyone is a hypocrite, or whether hypocrisy has become so universal that the word barely functions. Graham Platner, Ken Paxton, Pete Hegseth, Susan Collins, and Jake Auchincloss all make appearances in a tour of political standards, double standards, and the rare politician willing to say his own side’s nominee fails the test.
Then, Christian B. Miller, A.C. Reid Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University and author of The Honesty Crisis, joins to discuss why honesty ranks as our most treasured virtue, why people still cheat when they think they can get away with it, and why a small share of people may be responsible for a huge share of lies. Plus, Mike presses Miller on pornography, fantasy, celebrity, politics, and whether public life now overexposes us to the professions where dishonesty pays best.
Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 5 Jun 2026 - 35min - 5612 - Claude Steele Has a Better Way to Talk About Race
Today on The Gist, Mike revisits the suddenly shifting Spencer Pratt/Nithya Raman race in Los Angeles, where prediction markets flipped as late-arriving California ballots changed the picture. The bigger question: is slow vote-counting actually a democratic problem, or mostly a problem for people who want election night to behave like a TV show? Then, Stanford social psychologist Claude Steele joins to discuss his new book Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome It. Steele, known for coining the term "stereotype threat", argues that prejudice and bias are real but not the whole story. Much of American life is shaped by the fear of being seen through a stereotype, or accused of seeing someone else that way. Mike and Steele talk DEI, color blindness, anti-racism, policing, trust, and why “be open and curious” may beat a lot of official diversity training.
Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 4 Jun 2026 - 41min - 5611 - Ian Coss: How One Man Controlled A Quarter Of New England’s Groundfish
Today on The Gist, Mike looks at the LA mayoral race, where Karen Bass is advancing and Spencer Pratt may be too, depending on the late-arriving ballots that will almost certainly inspire totally normal and measured reactions online.
Then, Ian Coss talks about Catching the Codfather, his GBH podcast about Carlos Rafael, the larger-than-life New Bedford fish mogul who built an empire on boats, permits, quotas, and a willingness to break the law. Rafael had Scarface memorabilia in his office, a Codfather nickname he loved, and control over a huge chunk of New England’s groundfish market. But the story Coss tells is bigger than one colorful crook. It’s about the unintended consequences of regulation, the limits of fishery science, and the market-based reforms that helped consolidate an industry they were supposed to save.
Produced by Corey WaraEdited by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 3 Jun 2026 - 39min - 5610 - Simone Stolzoff: We’re Getting Worse At Not Knowing
Today on The Gist, President Trump says he “couldn’t care less” whether Iran negotiations are over because, frankly, they’ve gotten “a little boring.” Mike takes him at his word, which is exactly the problem: when the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices, and the possibility of war are on the table, boredom is not a diplomatic strategy. Then, journalist Simone Stolzoff joins to discuss his new book, How Not to Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World That Demands Answers. Stolzoff explains why human brains crave prediction, why the internet has made us worse at sitting with ambiguity, and why certainty can become a trap, whether it comes from cults, algorithms, productivity culture, or the false promise that every answer is just one search away. Mike presses him on whether learning to “let go” is a problem of abundance, and whether books about work, anxiety, and uncertainty mostly speak to people whose material problems have already been solved.
Produced by Corey Wara
Edited by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 2 Jun 2026 - 33min - 5609 - Aaron Tang: "Re-instill This Idea That We Can Sit Around and Talk to Each Other"
Today on The Gist, we analyze the Maine U.S. Senate race as Democrat Graham Plattner navigates a growing scandal while facing incumbent Susan Collins in a contest that tests party loyalties. Then, UC Davis law professor Aaron Tang discusses his PBS series, Breaking the Deadlock. Tang explains how his program uses high-stakes, fictionalized scenarios to force experts beyond their rehearsed talking points and toward genuine, civil discourse.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 1 Jun 2026 - 41min - 5608 - Mike Pesca on The Reason Roundtable
Today on The Gist, guest host Milo Pesca introduces Mikes recent appearance on the Reason Roundtable podcast, analyzing the shifting parameters of the current conflict in Iran. The discussion panel deconstructs the lack of a coherent foreign policy framework in Washington. Finally, a breakdown of the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral election, exploring the legitimate local frustrations driving the populist campaign of reality television star Spencer Pratt, the failures of the institutional progressive establishment under Karen Bass, and why supply-side housing reforms in states like Texas offer a model for urban governance that coastal cities continue to ignore.
Listen to The Reason Roundtable Here!
Produced by Corey Wara
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Sat, 30 May 2026 - 25min - 5607 - Janet McNamara: Smart People Think I'm Smart, Stupid People Think I'm Dumb
Today on The Gist, its Funny You Should Mention with comedian Janet McNamara discusses her YouTube special Not Smart Enough, opening up about her viral 2010 American Idol audition, navigating corporate accounting with dyslexia and ADD via advanced Excel automation, and her multiple clinical evaluations for autism. Also, a breakdown of why modern office social niceties fail neurodivergent workers, exploring the evolutionary shift from paper ledger bookkeeping to computerized workflows, and why the imminent rise of automation makes creative stand-up comedy a safer career harbor than corporate finance.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 29 May 2026 - 1h 03min - 5606 - Astead Herndon: Polling Has Blind Spots That Regular People Explaining the "Why" Can Fill
Today on The Gist, an evaluation of America's legacy on its 250th anniversary, arguing that grading the nation on a global curve historical context yields a much higher mark than a C+. Then, America Actually host Astead Herndon discusses his new Vox podcast, explaining how focus groups illuminate structural nuances that traditional polls miss and analyzing the Democratic Party's ongoing post-election wilderness strategy. Finally, a look at the political pitfalls of the progressive policy agenda, exploring why leadership's persistent framing of corporate villainy often masks a deeper, self-imposed supply-side crisis in housing and energy infrastructure.
See the full America Actually series on Vox's YouTube channelProduced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 28 May 2026 - 47min - 5605 - Holly Buck: A Pause on New Data Centers Isn't Really Going to Slow the Progress of AI
Today on The Gist, examining how localized rescue stories capture public attention while mass crises are ignored. Then, University of Buffalo associate professor Holly Buck discusses her Jacobin essay, outlining why the AI data center moratorium proposed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would hike compute prices for ordinary researchers, offshore environmental damage to weaker grids, and align progressives with anti-renewable coalitions. Finally, a commentary on a former DHS Secretary's remark about America losing the "power of its example," breaking down the history of political chiasmus and why the actual power of U.S. military and technological capacity has historically mattered more than moral reputation abroad.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 27 May 2026 - 32min - 5604 - Beyond the Politics of Contempt
Today on The Gist, the race to stop a catastrophic chemical explosion next to Disneyland that forced 50,000 Southern California residents to evacuate. Then, Beth Malow and Doug Teschner discuss their book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times, sharing strategies from their work with Braver Angels to foster local, cross-partisan dialogue. Finally, the limits of one-on-one interventions in a polarized mass-media landscape, highlighting why the path out of systemic political contempt relies on free and fair elections rather than curated elite civility.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 26 May 2026 - 34min - 5603 - David Oppenheimer: "The LSAT Is a Wonderful Predictive Tool for Determining An Applicant's Family Wealth"
This Saturday edition features an unaired segment from the interview with UC Berkeley law professor David Oppenheimer regarding standardized testing in higher education. The discussion centers on a debate over the statistical legitimacy of the LSAT and bar exam passage rates. The episode rounds out with a takedown of anyone claiming New York commuters pronounce the LIRR as the lure.
Produced by Corey WaraVideo and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 23 May 2026 - 19min - 5602 - Alvin Roth: "A Repugnant Transaction Is a Morally Contested Transaction"
Today on The Gist, the upcoming Enhanced Games are analyzed not as an ethical crisis, but as a weak, corporate-sponsored satire of athletic boundaries. Then, Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin Roth joins the show to discuss his book Moral Economics: From Prostitution to Organ Sales, What Controversial Transactions Reveal About How Markets Work. He maps out the baseline difference between evolutionary disgust and social repugnance, diving into historic natural experiments, including Rhode Island’s accidental legalization of indoor prostitution and the downstream legalities of international surrogacy, to reveal the real-world trade-offs of market bans. Finally, in the spiel, the latest legislative chaos out of Washington is unpacked, showing how the constant breaking of institutional norms has simply become par for the course.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 22 May 2026 - 32min - 5601 - Not Even Mad: Isaac Saul & Jamie Kirchick
Today is Not Even Mad. Tangle founder Isaac Saul and journalist Jamie Kirchick discuss the creation of the Department of Justice's $1.776 billion anti-weaponization settlement fund, the legislative fallout from the Trump primary revenge tour, and the unpredictable new swing votes in the Senate. Finally, they honor the trailblazing legacy and posthumous warnings of the late Barney Frank before sharing their personal weekly grievances on everything from shrieking toddlers to Gen Z's lack of eye contact.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 21 May 2026 - 53min - 5600 - David Oppenheimer: "Diversity Is Not About Being Comfortable"
Today on The Gist, the profound failure of empathy within our immigration bureaucracy is put under the microscope following the tragic freezing death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a blind Rohingya refugee abandoned in a Buffalo parking lot by Border Patrol. Then, UC Berkeley law professor David Oppenheimer joins the show to discuss his book, The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea. He traces the intellectual history of multiculturalism back to 1810 Prussia, arguing that a clash of perspectives is essential for institutional excellence, leading into a spirited debate over the replication crisis in social science and the institutional flaws of the modern DEI apparatus.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 20 May 2026 - 54min - 5599 - J Schuberth: "I'd Settle for Number Two"
Today on The Gist, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defends a massive compensation fund for Donald Trump alongside a highly convenient IRS waiver. Then, J Schuberth joins the show to discuss her write-in campaign for Oregon governor as a six-foot-tall pencil. She breaks down why the state ranks dead last in fourth-grade literacy, the political pushback against the science of reading, and why adult comfort should not override student outcomes. Finally, in the spiel, a fierce defense of the only correct way to pronounce the LIRR and a thorough takedown of anyone who dares to call it the lurr.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 19 May 2026 - 35min - 5598 - David Sussillo: "I Had to Be Like a God"
Today on The Gist, the media coverage surrounding Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California who recently pled guilty to acting as a Chinese government agent, is put under the microscope. Then, computational neuroscientist David Sussillo discusses his memoir, Emergence:A Memoir of Boyhood, Computation, and the Mysteries of Mind. He recounts his unlikely trajectory from a neglected childhood in an Albuquerque group home to the bleeding edge of AI at Meta and Stanford, breaking down how he used his intelligence as a psychological shield and why his harrowing experiences leave him optimistic about the future of technology.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 18 May 2026 - 49min - 5597 - Mike Pesca on Fake the Nation
It’s the Saturday show! Today, we’re sharing a recent appearance on the podcast Fake the Nation, hosted by Negin Farsad and featuring comedian Katie Hannigan. The panel tackles the explosion of the "refresher" beverage craze, the death knell of soda, and the performative nature of iced matcha. Then, the conversation shifts to the grim realities of the Iran war, the administration's lack of an exit strategy, the information blackout affecting Iranian citizens, and why the sudden release of blurry UFO footage feels like a convenient distraction.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Sat, 16 May 2026 - 24min - 5596 - Matt Sterling: Finding the Strength to Survive
Today on The Gist, NCAA softball star Maya Johnson turns down massive NIL offers to stay at Belmont University and pursue a debt-free nursing doctorate. Then, Matt Sterling joins the show to discuss his memoir, Mighty: Finding the Strength to Survive. Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Sterling navigated a pre-ADA world to become a highly successful New York City ad sales executive. Plus, a breakdown of the former Arcadia, California mayor who pleaded guilty to acting as a Chinese agent, and why the local press ignored the red flags.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Fri, 15 May 2026 - 34min - 5595 - Franklin Foer: Did the Press Miss Biden's Decline?
Today on The Gist, a look at public health communication and the hantavirus. Then, The Atlantic's Franklin Foer returns to face questions about his book, The Last Politician. Did the press miss the signs of Joe Biden's decline? Foer pushes back against accusations of journalistic dereliction, detailing what he actually witnessed in the White House and the difference between cognitive failure and age-induced crankiness. Plus, a critique of a recent New York Times column detailing the abuse of Palestinian prisoners, the destructive influence of Israel's far-right ministers, and the necessity of accountability.
Produced by Corey WaraVideo and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 14 May 2026 - 41min - 5594 - Franklin Foer: Chronicling The Purged
Today on The Gist, what do UFO disclosures and covert strikes on Iran have in common? They are all part of the great distraction machine. Then, The Atlantic's Franklin Foer joins the show to discuss his recent project, The Purged. The conversation examines the quiet catastrophe of the administration's dismantling of the civil service, and why replacing seasoned experts with partisan appointees leaves the government fundamentally broken. Plus, an analysis of a revealing Pew survey highlighting America's status as a remarkably low-trust society, and the economic inequalities fueling our mutual resentment.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 13 May 2026 - 37min - 5593 - David Epstein: Thinking Inside the Box
Today on The Gist, breaking down how the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been secretly carrying out strikes on Iran, and what this means for U.S. ceasefire efforts, the global oil market, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Then, bestselling author David Epstein returns to the show to discuss his new book, Inside The Box: How Constraints Make Us Better. The conversation dissects the myth that boundless freedom fuels creativity, examining the epic failure of the unconstrained tech startup General Magic, how Pixar uses popsicle sticks to force prioritization, and why a lack of strict parameters fueled the scientific community's replication crisis.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 12 May 2026 - 44min - 5592 - Kevin Williamson: The Psychotic State of Texas Politics
Today on the Gist, breaking down Energy Secretary Chris Wright's masterclass in dodging gas price predictions on Meet the Press amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Then, The Dispatch's Kevin Williamson joins the show to discuss the eccentric, radicalized, and "just about psychotic" state of Texas politics. They dive into the bitter Republican primary battle between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and the scandal-plagued Attorney General Ken Paxton, analyze the Democratic challengers, and explore why affluent suburbanites are driving the state's populist and secessionist movements.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Mon, 11 May 2026 - 45min - 5591 - Finding Political Kryptonite with Paula Poundstone
On this Saturday crossover episode, Mikes recent guest spot on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone takes center stage. Alongside Paula Poundstone and Adam Felber, the search is on for the current administration's ultimate political "kryptonite." The trio hilariously debates what it will actually take to move the needle with voters—from 4th amendment violations and congressional roundtables to the Epstein files and soaring gas prices.
Listen to the entire episode Here: EP 408: Finding Kryptonite with Mike Pesca! • Paula Poundstone
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 9 May 2026 - 34min - 5590 - Benjamin Saltzman: The Art of Turning Away
Today on the Gist, why cruise ships are essentially floating vessels of exclusively bad news. Then, University of Chicago professor Benjamin A. Saltzman joins the show to discuss his book, Turning Away: The Poetics of an Ancient Gesture. He explores the artistic and emotional history of averting our gaze—and why looking away often signals profound engagement rather than indifference. Finally, in the Antwentig, a reality check on the gun control debate and the historical flaws in comparing it to the Civil Rights movement.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Fri, 8 May 2026 - 41min - 5589 - Not Even Mad: Russ Muirhead & Ben Dreyfuss
Today on the Gist, the US intelligence assessment of the Iran blockade, and why the current administration lacks the attention span for a prolonged overseas conflict. Then, Dartmouth professor Russ Muirhead and Calm Down author Ben Dreyfuss join the panel for another round of Not Even Mad. The trio tackles the media's catastrophizing of political violence, the electoral baggage of RFK Jr.'s fringe health initiatives, and a radical proposal to fix Congress by expanding the House of Representatives.
Produced by Corey Wara
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Thu, 7 May 2026 - 57min - 5588 - Jonathan Vigliotti: The Olympic Rush to Rebuild LA
Today on the Gist, why ten-dollar words like "instantiation" might sound smart but ultimately fail to connect with an audience. Then, CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti joins the show to discuss his book, Torched: How a City Was Left to Burn and the Olympic Rush to Rebuild LA. He breaks down the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the catastrophic absence of city leadership during the crisis, and how a desperate rush to prep for the Summer Games led to a dangerous, deregulated rebuild.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 6 May 2026 - 43min - 5587 - Joseph Moore: Negotiating With Drug Dealers for Real Estate Success
Today on the Gist, Robert F. Kennedy's initiative to get Americans off psychiatric medications and the political consequences of elevating fringe health issues. Then, Joseph Moore returns to discuss his book, How to Get Rich in American History. He breaks down the realities of economic mobility versus the "despair industrial complex," the difference between fast and slow time in wealth building, and how treating distressed real estate like a true business led to his own financial independence. Finally, in the spiel, the Met Gala protests and what high-fashion critiques of figures reveal about political bias.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 5 May 2026 - 29min - 5586 - Joseph Moore: The Despair Industrial Complex
Today on the Gist, parsing terrible geology analogies about gas prices dropping "like a rock" when they are actually shooting up like a rocket. Then, Joseph S. Moore joins the show to discuss his book, How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked and Didn't. He details his personal journey from a broke history graduate student to financial success, and breaks down centuries of American financial schemes, from 19th-century paper currencies to the modern "despair industrial complex." Finally, in the spiel, an analysis of former nuclear arms negotiator Wendy Sherman's recent BBC interview, and what the Obama administration's eagerness to secure the Iran nuclear deal reveals about American negotiation tactics and leverage.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 4 May 2026 - 37min - 5585 - Ethan Strauss: Great Writers, Bad Thinkers, and the Death of the Sports Gamer
Mike and Ethan Strauss joined to talk on Substack and they talked about Ethan's 4:00 a.m. "rise and grind" writing routine, the frustrating trend of "great writers, bad thinkers" across the media landscape, and the unique cultural heat that drives the WNBA's popularity. They also dive into the lost art of the "gamer," mourning the slow death of the rapid-fire, post-game sports recaps that once defined the industry.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 2 May 2026 - 54min - 5584 - Liz Hoffman: Why We Are So Pessimistic About a Resilient Economy
Today on the Gist, digging into the rhetoric around California's Proposition 36 and examining how advocacy groups frame low-level arrest statistics to push the narrative of mass incarceration. Then, Semafor's Business and Finance editor and Compound Interest podcast co-host Liz Hoffman returns to the show. She discusses the bizarre disconnect between a strong economy and sour consumer sentiment, the fading legal backlash against social media companies, and how the massive wealth generated by AI startups could severely worsen the wealth gap. Finally, in the spiel, an analysis of the California gubernatorial race and why Katie Porter is struggling in the polls despite her high name recognition, viral moments, and status as the only woman on the debate stage.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Fri, 1 May 2026 - 37min - 5583 - Liz Hoffman: Will AI Trigger a Jobless Food Fight?
Today on the Gist, assessing the political fallout from the Supreme Court's Callais decision striking down majority minority congressional districts. Then, Semafor's Business and Finance editor and Compound Interest podcast co-host Liz Hoffman joins the show. She breaks down the economic realities of the AI revolution, the fierce ideological battles between tech titans like Elon Musk and Sam Altman, and why the Pentagon is treating Anthropic as a supply chain risk. Finally, in the spiel, a look at California's Proposition 36 and how the media's framing of a return to mass incarceration ignores the statistical reality of the state's prison population.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 30 Apr 2026 - 36min - 5582 - Suzy Hansen: How The Syrian War Radicalized Erdoğan
Today on the Gist, a look at the recent security incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and why Donald Trump's demand for a new White House ballroom draws striking parallels to his infamous border wall. Then, American journalist Suzy Hansen joins the show to discuss her new book, From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan. She details how a massive influx of Syrian refugees transformed a historic Istanbul neighborhood, how Erdoğan leveraged the crisis against Europe to fuel his neo-Ottoman ambitions, and the devastating consequences of his economic house of cards.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 29 Apr 2026 - 41min - 5581 - Ted Dintersmith: The Life-Changing Math Schools Ignore
Today on the Gist, examining the confusing details and conspiracy theories surrounding the recent Washington press corps assailant. Then, Ted Dintersmith joins to discuss his book, Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won't Teach You. He explains why schools are stuck teaching outdated rote mechanics instead of crucial life concepts like compound interest, and what America can learn from Finland's approach. Finally, in the spiel, a deep dive into the politically motivated indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 28 Apr 2026 - 43min - 5580 - Richard Lapper: Why Lula Didn't Become a Chavista
Today on the Gist, reflecting on the president's black tie press conference remarks about accepting political violence, and why our media ecosystem consistently selects for radical sentiment over the sensible. Then, Richard Lapper, former Latin American editor for the Financial Times, joins the show to discuss his new book, Lula: The Man, the Myth, and a Dream of Latin America. A look into how Lula da Silva's trade union pragmatism and commitment to economic stability transformed Brazil, allowing him to succeed where other Latin American populist movements failed. Finally, in the spiel, an examination of the recent attempted assassination at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the resulting media reactions, and the harsh, unyielding realities of the American gun violence epidemic.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 27 Apr 2026 - 38min - 5579 - Mike Pesca Might Be Wrong & The Art of Korean Rock Throwing
It's the Saturday show! First, we pull a recent appearance: Mike joins Jeff Maurer on the I Might Be Wrong podcast. They debate Mike's recent Free Press article, "What Kind of Autocrat Loses an Election?", dissecting the definition of authoritarianism, Viktor Orban’s defeat in Hungary, and whether pundits are overstating the threat to American democracy. Then, in the spiel, Mike dives into the deep, brutal, and historically ineffective tradition of expert Korean stone throwers.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 25 Apr 2026 - 34min - 5578 - Maya Kornberg on How Congress Got Stuck
Today on the Gist, the US and Iran are supposedly in peace talks, but the real terror might just be the Iranian Navy's choice of "loose ski masks." Then, Maya Kornberg from the Brennan Center for Justice joins the show to discuss her new book, Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress. A look back at wave elections, like the class of '74 and the '94 Gingrich revolution, explains how procedural changes, centralized party power, and the gutting of independent expertise have led to today's dysfunctional legislative branch. Finally, in the spiel, looking back at the blocked JetBlue-Spirit Airlines merger now that the Trump administration is proposing a government bailout for the failing carrier.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Fri, 24 Apr 2026 - 33min - 5577 - Not Even Mad: Sarada Peri & Sarah Isgur
Today on the Gist, Mike is joined by Sarada Peri, former speechwriter for President Obama, and Sarah Isgur, senior editor at SCOTUSblog and author of Last Branch Standing, for a new installment of Not Even Mad. The trio discusses the Virginia redistricting vote, how concerning the "shadow docket" really is, and Kash Patel's lawsuit against The Atlantic. Finally, in Goat Grinders: boarding times, bad Bruce Springsteen lyrics, and the endless construction of the Purple Line.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Thu, 23 Apr 2026 - 1h 01min - 5576 - Jennifer Shahade on the Grandmaster of Intermezzos: Donald Trump
Today on the Gist, looking at the recent Virginia gerrymander vote and what it actually means for democracy when one side plays to win. Then, chess master and poker pro Jennifer Shahade joins the show to discuss her new book, Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life. We discuss why Donald Trump's political maneuvering might actually be a series of strategic "intermezzos," why "zugzwang" explains so many personal crises, and the unexpected reality of speed chess dating.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Wed, 22 Apr 2026 - 41min - 5575 - Jonathan Cheng on the Realities of Uncovering North Korea
Today on the Gist, exploring the consequences of relocating Afghan allies to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, Wall Street Journal China Bureau Chief Jonathan Cheng is back to discuss the complexities of reporting on a closed society like North Korea, the strategic thinking behind the Kim dynasty's ruthless tactics, and what it’s actually like to attend church in Pyongyang. He is the author of Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult. Finally, in the spiel, we dive into the fascinating, brutal, and ultimately ineffective history of expert Korean stone throwers.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Tue, 21 Apr 2026 - 33min - 5574 - Jonathan Cheng on When Pyongyang Was the Jerusalem of the East
Today on the Gist, looking at the dropping price of eggs and the DOJ's antitrust investigation into major producers for market manipulation. Then, Wall Street Journal China Bureau Chief Jonathan Cheng joins the show to discuss his new book, Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult. He explains how Pyongyang was once known as the Jerusalem of the East and how the Kim dynasty co-opted Christian rituals for their own worship. Finally, in the spiel, we break down a very contentious State of the Union interview between Jake Tapper and Elise Stefanik.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Mon, 20 Apr 2026 - 30min - 5573 - The Middle - Making the case for Voting by Phone
On this Saturday hybrid episode, Mike's recent guest appearance on Jeremy Hobson’s The Middle, where he pitches smartphone voting to fix low-turnout primaries and breaks down the domestic political fallout of the conflict in Iran. Then, we replay of Mondays spiel that examines the electoral defeat of Hungary's Viktor Orban to ask a simple question: what kind of autocrat actually loses an election?
Click to listen to the Rest of The Middle
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
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Sat, 18 Apr 2026 - 28min - 5572 - Chuck Todd: Why Politicians Are "The Weirdos"
Today on the Gist, pushing back against the pundit-class panic that American democracy is "on the brink." Then, host of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck Todd joins the show to break down the psychological profile of the modern politician, explaining why the desperate need for public validation consistently elevates slick communicators over serious legislators. Todd and Mike also survey the 2026 Senate landscape, including the vulnerabilities of Susan Collins and Sherrod Brown, and analyze how a shaky economy, new tariffs, and unforced errors are turning the midterm elections into a brutal referendum on Donald Trump.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/
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Fri, 17 Apr 2026 - 46min - 5571 - Sarah Isgur: Why Forum Shopping is a Bigger Threat Than the Ethics Crisis
Today on the gist, Mike examines the dark psychology of political permanence following the shocking murder-suicide of former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax. SCOTUSblog editor Sarah Isgur returns to discuss the human element of the Supreme Court, explaining why the justices view themselves as consistent rather than hypocritical, why partisan "forum shopping" poses a far greater threat than the current ethics controversies, and the disastrous second-order consequences of ending lifetime appointments. . Plus, a look at the bizarre, brutal, and largely ignored 40-year reign of Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
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Thu, 16 Apr 2026 - 31min
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